My dad used to operate the fireworks stands for the local optimist club. I remember large large quantities of fireworks at my disposal. I mixed, I matched, I cut them open and combined them at the tender age of 8. I always knew they would burn me badly or even kill me. This was demonstrated by a really old 8mm safety film that we watched. The only injuries I ever acquired over the years were some burns. I still have all my fingers and am always going to criticize people who think only professionals are competent to set off fireworks. What a crock. Up until they passed the laws that would make me a terrorist for doing it I made my own shells. It was a safe hobby because I was safe. I'm really sorry some of you are frightened by them but don't expect those of us who enjoy them to give you any slack.

Radioactive Ass:thisdaydreamer: Seriously, best of luck to everyone involved. Fireworks are scary, even in the right hands.

I agree. That stuff can be very dangerous even when the person handling them is fully qualified to do so. But shiat happens and the bystanders should know that stuff that goes boom far away from them could also go boom really close to them. There is no assumption of safety when watching pyrotechnics that I know of.

At the hospital i work at, we always know what holiday it is by the kinds of injuries we see: